THE VOICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

Case study: Internationalization of South African Higher

Education IAU4th Global Meeting12 April 2011

Prof Duma Malaza

Guiding Question

•How much impact can organizations like HESA have on internationalization policies?•What strategies are employed to raise the profile of internationalization?

All the right noisesNational HE policy formation •Education White Paper 3 (1997) •National Plan for Higher Education (2001)Policy documents of government Departments •Trade and Industry•Science and Technology•International Cooperation

However, national equity imperatives meant that transformation was HE’s first priority

DHET PrioritiesIncrease domestic participation rate from 16% to 20%Very low by international standards40 – 50% for OECD countriesGreater equity in access for under-represented groupsStill disparities in academic profile – dominated by aging white, male professoriate DHET internationalization branchCompeting priorities from other Departments (Trade & Industry, International Cooperation etc.)Non interference with university autonomyStrategic Plan 2010-2014“International cooperation must grow in the research and

postgraduate areas of study to support South Africa’s growth plans.”

External policy

Main international policy document comes from the SADC Protocol (1997)

• Work towards standardisation of university admission requirements.

• Develop mechanisms for the transfer of credit within universities in the region.Reserve space for 5% of student admissions for SADC students.Encourage student and staff mobility.Ensure, within 10 years, that SADC students and home students have the same rights as far as accommodation and fees are concerned.

South African is the only SADC country to achieve these

Student Numbers

On average 13% growth p/a in international participation since 1994

Participating regions

SADC Students

Out of Africa 2000-2009

US students (Open Door Report - 2010) preferred destination: South Africa 13th (4,160) - 12% growth over 2009

THE VOICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

PROMOTING THE INTERNATIONAL AGENDA

HESA STRATEGIES

Shaping policy from withinHESA works from within national policy priorities to shift the terms of reference on internationalism1.Established a strategy group on Internationalization to

Monitor existing trendsAdvise the Board on strategic issues on internationalisationChampion the sector’s engagement with policy makers and other stakeholders

Shaping policy from within2. Work in alignment with Government’s developmental

focus areas. Promote international collaborations aimed at

Creation of decent work and sustainable livelihoodsEducationHealthRural development, food security and land reformThe fight against crime and corruption

3. Leverage off existing government multilateralsSupport the mobility of academics via the India-Brazil-South Africa partnershipStrong strategic role and coordination the South Africa-Japan Universities partnership – aimed at developing scarce and critical skills

Shaping policy4. Promote the work of the International

Education Association of South Africa (IEASA)

HESA is chief funder of IEASAIEASA develops and shares best practice in the management of internationalisation within higher education Annually publishes a guide on studying in South Africa for international studentsOrganises an annual international conference that, among other things provides a platform for engagement with policy makers.

Every university has an international officeAll have a code of conduct & guidelines on internationalizationSome institutions are focusing specifically on international issuesIEASA coordinates medical aid and insurance to protect international students

International students by university

Less about cash, more about collegiality

• Students• Academics• Collaborations

• Internationalisation within Africa is the country’s core focus

• Open University (UNISA) claims that it loses money on internationalisation

• In South Africa, it is not primarily about profit generation

• Driven by old-fashioned values of collegiality, hospitality & reciprocityA genuine desire to disseminate and share knowledge together with a desire to see knowledge return to the countries from which the students, academics and knowledge came.